26-Year-Old Desmond Smith Charged With Arson In Dover Target Fire, Police Say
DOVER, Del. (CBS) -- The Dover Police Department has charged a 26-year-old in connection with the July 10th arson at a Target department store. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Desmond Smith and executed a search warrant at his residence in Dover on Monday at 11 a.m.
According to police, Smith was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with first-degree arson, recklessly endangering and other related charges.
He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $137,000 cash bond.
Smith had been identified through the collection and examination of in-store surveillance footage and physical evidence from the store, authorities say.
Police believe Smith set the fire to distract from him stealing a cart full of merchandise
The joint investigation was led by the Dover Police Department and the City of Dover Fire Marshal's Office.